British model set to experience ‘navrasa’

Yet to hit the big screen, British model Jaala Pickering is already being billed as the next big thing. In fact, a famous UK tabloid already pitched Jaala as the next ‘It’ girl after British supermodel Sienna Miller.

“It’s my first big film role. So, I am excited for it to release,” says Jaala about director Sohan Roy’s upcoming 3D film, Dam 999. “It’s an honour to do a film in India. And I am excited as well as nervous about people’s reactions. But it feels good.”

Interestingly, the 27-year-old apparently landed the role of Maria in Dam 999 just three weeks after touching down in Los Angeles. Ask Jaala about the ‘Sienna Miller’ connection and she smiles: “It felt really great. And it was more special because one of the top newspapers of the UK recognised me. I hope I can take forward the mantle of the next British girl to make it big in Hollywood and worldwide.”

Dam 999 has been filmed in Alleppey, Kerala, and is a tribute to the 2,50,000 people who lost their lives in the 1975 Banqiao Dam disaster in China. Indian and international actors represent the ancient Indian concept of Navarasas, or the nine human emotions.

“In the film, the colour black portrays my emotion and I represent fear. It’s a difficult role to play because my character lives in fear of her husband. Confined in a wheelchair, Maria is quite repressed and gives up on life until her brother comes along to rescue her,” the actor says, who bagged the part after auditioning for it in Los Angeles.

Jaala has been modelling for about 10 years. “I started in the UK and then continued modelling in Australia for a year. I’ve worked throughout Europe too, besides doing some work in Dubai, before finally moving to Los Angeles,” she says, adding that apart from shows at Sydney Fashion Week, she has also been part of the Dubai and London shows.